Matt Reeves takes a big risk with Batman 2

Expectations for batman 2 reached an unexpected level after the success of the HBO crime series, Penguin. Although the public was largely kept in the dark about what was going on or who was appearing in it Batman sequel, director Matt Reeves recently shared a tidbit that puts the film at risk of avoidable criticism: Bruce Wayne would find it “very hard to be Batman” presumably blamed for the devastating flood caused by the Riddler.

Extensively researched in The Dark Knight Rises, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, The Dark Knight Returns, and IP addresses other than Batman, such as Spider-Man 2 and Iron Man 3, the audience filled up the “tired of being a superhero” trope. Feeding the Batman faithful a Bruce Wayne wallowing in his own guilt is likely to be disgusting. With Robert Pattinson's Batman still in his prime, it would be unwise to doubt himself at this stage, especially when the call for an active Batman with his rogues gallery is at an all-time high. Instead, batman 2 should double as Batman to hone his detective and combat skills, clean up the streets of Gotham, and enhance Batman's image as Gotham's true protector.

Batman was noticeably absent from The Penguin

The first hint that something was up with the Dark Knight was inside Penguin. Although the series did everything right, the audience could not help but notice the high absence. Neither Batman nor Bruce Wayne will appear in the series, not even when the time most wanted it.

IN PenguinColin Farrell's Oswald “Oz” Cobb attempts to fill the void left in Gotham City's criminal underworld by the death of Carmine Falcone. After a series of murders, he successfully establishes himself as the top dog among the city's gangs. Throughout the eight-part ordeal, Batman is not only absent, but mentions of him are scarce. The bat signal piercing the horizon in the final shot of the final episode was all fans got. Since Batman was hot on Oz's heels in the first film, it's doubtful he wasn't privy to his atrocities.

While it's tempting to link this to Reeves' recent comments, the truth about Batman's absence Penguin is quite simple. He and showrunner Lauren LeFranc didn't want to drag Marvel's fan service by injecting unnecessary cameos. A Penguin series with Batman lurking around the screen could take Oz's attention away. Even a small taste of Batman's presence would deepen fans' disappointment if they didn't get more; it was one of those cases where no one overturns a little.

Guilt-ridden Batman is getting tiresome

Another sad Batman story runs the risk of becoming too repetitive

If Batman going through an identity crisis and guilt only to be juggled by a demanding villain sounds familiar, that's because it is. From the first days Batman: The Animated Seriesa deeply introspective Batman—one who either struggles to balance his nighttime duties with his personal life or reflects on the losses he's suffered in his encounters with villains—has been the focus of many Batman films. Some of them, such as The Dark Knight Rises, The Dark Knight Returns, Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice, and even Batman: Arkham games, are still fresh in the memory of cinemas, how well or poorly they handled the concept. The idea isn't limited to dear old Bruce either. A similar – but not identical – dynamic played out Spider-Man 2 and Iron Man 3.

Batman is more than just a burdened hero

Even when Batman's character is mired in a moral dilemma, the constant struggle with his conscience risks becoming tiresome. What makes Batman an interesting character is not emotional trauma, but complexity, discipline, skill, and most importantly, resilience and commitment. He is not a man who folds when the pressures of living in one of the most dangerous cities on the planet and the losses involved in trying to save it come knocking. If anything, he's addicted to the cape and cowl, with his real mask being Bruce Wayne.

Most fans would rather see Batman in his prime, in Gotham in his prime, dealing with villains in his prime, than one who spends half the movie pondering how the streets of Gotham are boiling. DC's latest attempt at a larger-than-life character unwilling to embrace his identity led to considerable backlash and a spectacular box office failure despite some nuance.

Batman 2 should double down on the rage, not the regret

IN BatmanBruce is eager to save the city; therefore less Bruce and more Batman. The wake of being outplayed by the Riddler, his inability to prevent the ensuing chaos, and Oswald Cobb's rise to power should fuel Batman's rage to seek justice. Having him go from that to an individual trapped in a cycle of guilt without facing any significant threat or loss would be a tough sell, even for Matt Reeves. It's not hard to imagine an audience starved for Batman Penguin comes to batman 2 and left unsatisfied after going through another of the Caped Crusader's over-the-top moral struggles when the stakes are at their highest in Gotham. There was already displeasure among some fans when they learned of the news, and others may join them as details emerge.

Regardless of success Batman and Penguin means fans will have no reason to doubt Reeves and his vision. The director's proven ability to write the right character means that an even more emotional Batman than the first film could be just as well received. But that doesn't detract from the point that viewers have had their fill of clichés and deserve something refreshing. Since the scenario batman 2 is still unfinished (according to James Gunn on Threads), it's time for Reeves to rethink direction and choose a more compelling story from the vast Batman mythos.